Jury calls for death penalty in Pa. toddler death

YORK, Pa. (AP) >> A jury says a central Pennsylvania man should be executed for the beating death of a toddler he was baby-sitting two years ago.

The same York County jurors last week convicted 40-year-old Aric Shayne Woodard of first-degree murder in the death of 2-year-old Jaques Twinn.

They deliberated for two hours Monday before deciding that Woodard should face the death penalty for Jaques’ death instead of serving life in prison without parole.

Prosecutors said Woodard beat the boy to death in November 2011 while looking after him at a York home. Defense attorney Joanne Floyd argued that it wasn’t clear when the injuries were inflicted or who inflicted them.

Woodard didn’t show any visible reaction when the decision was read. He will return to court next month for his formal sentencing.